No servant can serve two masters. – Luke 16:13
In the last days before Christmas, you might be looking at your list of things to do, presents yet to buy and meals that need to be prepared, and wonder how it will all get done. For some, the busyness of the season undermines the joy and peace of the Christmas message. Overspending on gifts can increase your burden.
Step back and take a breath. The best gift ever is God’s gift to humankind in the form of salvation through His Son. The Lord Jesus Christ stepped down from heaven and confined Himself in an infant child. He grew into a man who touched the world with words of wisdom, with compassionate help for physically and spiritually ailing people, and as the final sacrifice that would be the healing balm to all who believe.
He gave His all. He asks you to be completely devoted to Him, single-minded in your endeavors to live the life He has set before you. Ask the Lord to guide you in the use of the material resources He has given you. Look to Him for direction in how to use your time and apply the gifts and abilities He has given you to win the lost to Christ and encourage fellow saints.
Pray for the people and public servants of this nation to come to focus on the peace, love, and joy that knowing Jesus can bring. Then, examine how you use the gifts God has given you. Is He the Master of your life, or has something else taken precedence? Renew your commitment to the Lord and to proclaiming His precious gift to the world.
Today’s Verse: Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 40:4-10, 16
Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
